Let me be very very clear. We think people should be able to be who they are. People own themselves. So long as someone is not hurting another one should be left alone to live life anyway one likes. Gay, straight, transgender, whatever. But these kind of mandates from government go beyond simple acceptance and tolerance, a “liberal” (in the classical sense) society. This is hard nosed government intervention designed to socially engineer for the benefit of a certain special interest. This is not “tolerance.” This is force used to impose a moral code in a way not unlike how force was used to impose moral codes in the past that we find abhorrent today.

So the government can impose a $250,000 fine on an establishment (which in most cases means the death penalty for restaurants) for speech? For using the wrong pronoun? That is not a free society my friends. This is dangerous for those who value free thought, and liberty generally.

(From Cop Block)

In another confirmation that political correctness means a draconian police state, updated so-called “transgender discrimination” laws in New York City will see landlords, employers and businesses fined and possibly jailed for refusing to say that biology does not exist.

That’s right, if property owners identify employees or tenants by their 23rd chromosomal pair by using “improper pronouns” in reference to those who “don’t identify with the gender they were assigned at birth,” they could now see fines of up to $250,000.

The parameters of the speech law:

Intentionally failing to use an individual’s preferred name, pronoun or title. For example, repeatedly calling a transgender woman “him” or “Mr.” when she has made it clear that she prefers female pronouns and a female title.

Refusing to allow individuals to use single-sex facilities, such as bathrooms or locker rooms, and participate in single-sex programs, consistent with their gender identity. For example, barring a transgender woman from a women’s restroom out of concern that she will make others uncomfortable.

Enforcing dress codes, uniforms, and grooming standards that impose different requirements based on sex or gender. For example, enforcing a policy that requires men to wear ties or women to wear skirts.

Failing to providing employee health benefits that cover gender-affirming care or failing to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals undergoing gender transition, including medical appointments and recovery, where such reasonable accommodations are provided to other employees.

That last one is particularly insane. It appears to say that any health plan one offers must offer gender reassignment surgery now? If not the actual surgery the post-op treatments? That’s pretty inexpensive. Certainly something every small business owner should have to accommodate. Totally reasonable.

This law is wrong. It is anti-liberal (in the classical sense). It is intolerant. (Of reality.) It is indeed draconian. It does reflect an emerging politically correct police state where newspeak is imposed with the force of guns. This is not “progressive.” It certainly isn’t progress. This is Orwellian.